It’s time to shut this “Hell Hole” down! The fact that this illegal, criminal activity has been going on for so long doesn’t make it right. With the cages and cages full of dogs, waiting outside this place during the summer's peak dog meat season, it is also suspected that the mass killing, documented undercover in this video from Seongnam Moran Market, has taken place here: http://youtu.be/UKSGgsjnJlY

Article 2, Item 1 of Korea's Livestock Product Sanitary Control Act, which governs the raising, slaughter and disposal of livestock and the processing, distribution and inspection of livestock products, does not categorize dogs as livestock that can be processed as food, which makes dog- meat technically "illegal"!

According to the Livestock Safety Management Act, slaughterhouses can only slaughter animals that they are registered to handle. And these slaughterhouses are not registered to slaughter dogs because dogs are not subject to slaughter under this law.

Next, below are just few of many violations of Animal Protection Law by the dog slaughterhouses in Gupo Market and many other markets that sells dog meat around the country in South Korea:

ARTICLE 3. BASIC PRINCIPLE OF ANIMAL PROTECTION In keeping, caring and protecting animals, everyone should recognize the following: 2. Animals should be free from the hunger and thirst. 5. Animals should be free from fear and stress.

ARTICLE 8. PROHIBITION OF ANIMAL ABUSE ① No one shall commit the following acts toward animals: 1. Act of killing by brutal methods, such as hanging 2. Act of Killing in public or in another animal’s presence ③ No one shall commit the following acts toward abandoned or abused animals: 1. Act of capture and sell or kill. 2. Act of trade or purchase knowing that the animals are abandoned or abused.

ARTICLE 9. ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION ① Anyone transporting an animal that has been selected by decree from the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must make an effort to abide by the following: 1. Ensure that the animals are properly fed, watered and drive carefully so that animals are not shocked or harmed from sudden departures or stops. 2. The vehicle used for transportation must be built to prevent any harm during transportation and to minimize any pain due to poor ventilation or sudden changes in temperature, etc. 4. Avoid any possible injuries while moving an animal and minimize any pain or discomfort, such as sudden changes in body temperature or difficulty in breathing.

ARTICLE 46. PUNISHMENT ① Anyone who violates Article 8, Clause 1 through 3 shall be punished with up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million Korean won ($7,000 USD).

In addition, according to the Ministry of Environment's "Conservation of Water Quality and Ecosystem Law" Article 15 Clause 1 Item 2 and Article 78 Item 3, act of discharging excrements, livestock wastewater, animal carcass, waste materials or sludge into public water is punishable by up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million Korean won ($7,000 USD).

It's time the Korean government stop turning a blind eye to this illegal and cruel industry and start enforcing the Animal Protection Law. It's time that your government stop making excuses about a so-called "Legal Blind-Spot" and stop pointing fingers at each other about the problem. It's time you enact and enforce a clear law to ban this brutal killing and madness once and for all!

In the Korean adage, "So Tam Dae Shil (소탐대실小貪大失 )" means "you can suffer a big loss in going after a small gain". We urge the South Korean government to realize that there is a much "bigger loss" at stake while you are insisting on the "small gain" of another choice of meat. It is time that you, as the South Korean government, show the world that you are not void of compassion and a conscience and that you take your Animal Protection Law seriously! We will boycott all South Korean products and tourism until this shameful and illegal atrocity of the dog meat trade finally comes to an end!!